A Moreno Valley man who died early Thursday, July 12, when his motorcycle struck a pickup that made a left turn across the motorcycleâs path, was a dispatcher for the Riverside County Sheriffâs Department.

Dominic Durden, 30, has worked at the sheriffâs Riverside dispatch center for the past six years, said sheriffâs Sgt. Lisa McConnell, spokeswoman for the department, in an email.

The driver of the pickup, Juan Tzun Lopez, 24, of Riverside, is being investigated for vehicular manslaughter without negligence, said Officer Steve Carapia, spokesman for the Highway Patrolâs Riverside office. Lopez is not licensed to drive, Carapia said.

The Riverside County coronerâs office said Durden was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Carapia gave this account of the crash:

About 5:45 a.m., Lopez was driving a red 1989 Toyota pickup about 50 mph north on Pigeon Pass Road north of Highway 60, when he attempted to make a left turn onto Chambray Drive.

Durden was southbound on Pigeon Pass in the left lane traveling at 40 to 45 mph when Lopez turned in front of him. The motorcycle collided with the pickup, throwing Durden to the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pigeon Pass Road was shut down at Hemlock Avenue for the investigation.

Also contributing to this report: Staff writer Steven Barrie, sbarrie@pe.com

Follow Brian Rokos on Twitter: @Brian_Rokos. And watch for his posts on the Crime Blotter blog: blog.pe.com/crime-blotter/

Join the conversation

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Freedom Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Freedom publications without any notification or payment.